{"id":230868,"date":"2026-03-18T10:17:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T20:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=230868"},"modified":"2026-03-18T10:17:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T20:17:51","slug":"waikk-aquarium-122-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/18\/waikk-aquarium-122-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Waikīkī Aquarium ‘sea-lebrates’ 122 years with new leadership, visionary exhibits"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Judy Lemus, interim director of the Waikīkī<\/span> Aquraium, with Hōʻailona.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium<\/a>, a beacon of marine education and conservation for over a century, is marking its 122nd anniversary in March. Under the new leadership of Interim Director Judy Lemus, the institution is embarking on a period of revitalization, with innovative exhibits, strategic collaborations, and a continued commitment to the unique aquatic ecosystems of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and the tropical Pacific.<\/p>\n

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Jellyfish at Waikīkī<\/span> Aquraium.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aquarium will host a 122nd birthday celebration on March 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day kicks off with a community coastal cleanup followed by a suite of family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n

A new chapter<\/h2>\n

Lemus brings a wealth of experience in marine facility management, research, and education. Lemus served for four years as the interim director of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Institute of Marine Biology<\/a> (HIMB<\/abbr>) within the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Mānoa<\/span> School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology<\/a> (SOEST<\/abbr>) and is currently the interim associate dean for academic affairs in SOEST<\/abbr>. Her primary focus at the aquarium is on operational improvements and enhancing the institutionʻs<\/span> role in education, marine conservation, collaborative research, and community engagement.<\/p>\n

“Managing the Waikīkī<\/span> Aquarium is about more than just animal husbandry; it\u2019s also about our engagement with the public and contribution to conservation of Pacific species, and our role as a public outlet for UH<\/abbr> research,” said Lemus. “As we celebrate 122 years, we are not just honoring our history, but building the systems, facilities, and stories that will carry us through the next century.”<\/p>\n

One major accomplishment under her leadership has been the successful return<\/a> of Hōʻailona,<\/span> the beloved Hawaiian monk seal, to his refurbished enclosure.<\/p>\n

New and upcoming exhibits:<\/h2>\n